Strip marking device



Marsh 2,1943. A. C.CHAMBERLIN ETAL I STRIP MARKINGDEYICE s Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 12,- 1940 Man-d1 2, 1943. A. C 'CHAMBER LIN ETAL I 2,312,626 I '-S'IRIP MARKING DEVICE Filed July 12, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 2, 1943- A. c. CHAMBRLIN ET AL 2,312,626

STRIP MARKING DEVICE Filed July 12, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 iafitlln berl Patented Mar. 2, i943 2,312,626 s'riur MARKING DEVICE Alan 0. Chamber'lin and! Henry w. Nieman, Bethlehe m, Pa., assignors to Bethlehem Steel Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application July 12, 1940, Serial No. 345,248

13 Claims.

Our invention relates to apparatus for inspecting material for imperfections and particularly to the inspection of flat products.

An object of our invention is to provide means for inspecting-material which will detect light pervious defects of small dimensions in the material being inspected.

Another object of our invention is to provide an inspecting device which willautomatically inspect material and classify it according to'it characteristics.

' Another object of our invention is to provide means for designating material which has been inspected by inspecting apparatus, according to the characteristics of said material.

Another object of our invention is to provide in combination with apparatus for inspecting material fordefects therein, apparatus for indicating the portions of th material containing defects.

Another object of our invention is to'provide in combination with a device for inspecting material, apparatus actuated by said inspecting device for marking portions of said material having certain characteristics.

The novel features of our-invention will be more fully understood from the following description and claims taken with the drawings in which 1 Figure l is a side view partly in elevation and partly diagrammatic illustrating one embodiment of our invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged top view of the inspecting device:

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 together with a view in elevation of the marking device;

Fig. 5 is a side view in elevation of a modified structure embodying our invention;

Fi 6 is a side view of the marking device;

Fig; 7 is a section taken on the line -'l of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an elevation showing the resetting mechanism; 4

Fig. 9 is an elevation showing the ultimate position of the resetting mechanism;

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, inclusive; of the drawings, wherein We have shown one form of carrying out our invention in connection with an apparatus which includes a shear travellin at a high rate of speed for shearing a strip into sheets or the like, l5 designates slitter rolls through which the material l6 is fed, I! the flying shears which shear the material into sheets and which also govern the speed of the strip therethrough, or the like. Located intermediate the slitter rolls l5 and'the shears I1 is our inspectin device l9, which is especially adaptable for inspecting sheet metal products in their uncoated condition, and our marking device 20.

Referring to Figure 5 we showv our invention.

in connection with a strip of material which is not sheared after it passes through the slit-- The inspecting device l9, as shown in Fis- I ures 2 to 4, inclusive, comprises a pair of housings 29 and 30 connected by hinges 3lto permit the upper housing 29' to be swung upwardly.

Fig. 10 is an elevation showing the normal the cams 41 and 48.

ming of the strip in the guides.

Said housings define the opening 32 through which the strip l6 passes. Guides 33, 34, 35 and 36 are mounted in said housings adjacent the opening 32. Said guides are made of Bakelite or similar material to prevent scratching or otherwise defacing the surface of the strip.

Extending laterally of the adjacent faces of the housings 29 and 30 are the windows 31 and 38 which are secured to the housings 29 and 30 in frames 39 and 40. Extending between the housings 29 and 30 are the guides 4i and 42 to each of which strips 43 and 44 are welded and which serve as side guides for the strip I6. On either side of the lower housing 30, the rollers 45 and 4B, and the cams 41 and 48 having handles 49 and 50 are mounted.- After strip I6 is threaded between the housings 29 and 30 the guides 4| and 42 are movedinto abutting relationship with the sides of the strip and are then locked in position by means of The tightening'of cams 41 and 48 retracts the guides 41 and 42 slightly from the edges of strip l5 thus preventing jam- The guides 4| and 42 together with the strips 43 and 44 direct the strip l6 through the inspecting device and also prevent objectionable light from entering the housing 38.

Mounted in the housing 29 is a plurality of illuminating devices for directing luminous energy onto the surface of the strip material.

Lenses 52 are provided to direct the luminous 94, and the outer surface of which is knurled or otherwise indented as at 95. The roll 93 is pro vided with a flattened portion 96 on its periphery, and the roll is so mounted on shaft 65 that when cam 61 is in its set position as shown in Figure 6, the flattened portion 96 of roll 93 is at the bottom thereof;

Below roll 93 is the backing up roll 91 which is mounted in journals 98 secured to the cabinet 55. As shown in Figure 6, when the cam 61 is in its set position therolls 93 and 91 are separated by reason of the flattened portion 96 of roll 93 being at the bottom thereof, thereby permitting the passage of the strip therethrough unimpeded.

Rolls 93 and 91 are so spaced, however, that when 1 roll 93 is in any other position than with the ing 38 and striking the elements 53. However,

if any light pervious imperfections are present in said strip as it is passed between the housings, they will permit the energy from sources 5| to pass therethrough, through lenses 54 and onto positive in operation. It should make a mark upon the strip which will not be obliterated in subsequent operations, which in the case of strip steel may include roller leveling and tinning. It

should be of rugged construction, capable of operation upon material traveling at high rates of speed.

Referring to Figures 4, 6 and '7, the marking device 28 includes the cabinet 55 which rests upon the bar 56 and is movably secured thereto by the thumb screw 51 whereby the cabinet can be moved to and from the edge of the strip l6. Secured to the interior of the cabinet 55 is the solenoid 58. The link 59 is pivoted at its upper end to the armature 68 of the solenoid 58 at 6|. One end of the spring 62 is secured. to the link 59 at 63 and the other end of spring 62 is secured to the bottom of the cabinet 55 at 64.

Extending through one wall of the cabinet 55 is the shaft 65 mounted in journals 66. The cam 61 which comprises the body 68 and the flanges 69 and 18 is mounted on the inner end of the shaft 65. The roller 1| is mounted on the pin 12 between the flanges 69 and 18 of cam 61. Flange 18 of the cam is cut away at 13 inorder to control the movement of bell crank 14 in a. manner to be hereinafter described. The link 15 is pivoted on pin 16 extending from the flange") of cam 61. Spring 11 is secured at one end to link 15 and at the other 'end to the cabinet 55 at 18.

Mounted on the base of the cabinet 55 is the shock absorbing mechanism 19 comprising the rigidly mounted arm 88, an arm 8| pivoted at 82, the face plate 83 secured to the upper end of arm 8|, and a block 84 of rubber or other resilient material bonded at opposite sides to arm 88 and face plate 83.

The trigger 85 is pivoted to arm 8| at 86 and to link 59 at 63 and its free end 81 projects against vflattened portion lowermost, the distance between the rolls is less than the thickness of the strip being inspected.

The operation of the marking device can now be explained. Solenoid '58 is ordinarily maintained in an energized'condition as a result of which armature 68 is held in its raised position against the pull of spring 62. Trigger 85 is at the same time held against roller 1| thus preventing the rotation of the cam 61 by the spring The photoelectric inspection device is so arranged that when a light pervious imperfection in the sheet being inspected passes therethroug'h,

the circuit energizing the solenoid is broken, but

is again completed as soon as the defect has passed the inspection device. This momentary release of the solenoid starts the mechanical operation of the marking devicein the following manner. 4

The link 59 and the armature 68 are immediately pulled down by spring 62, thereby pulling the trigger 85 down and out of contact with roller 1|. The lowering of trigger 85 permits spring 11 to start the rotation of cam 61, thus rotating shaft 65 and roller 93. Spring 11 rotates cam 61 and roller 93 only to the point at which the knurled periphery 95 of roller 93 engages the moving strip I6. From this point the moving strip l6'supplies the power for rotating the roller 93 around to its original position as shown in Figure 6, at which point further rotation is arrested by the trigger 85 which is returned to its original position in the following manner. At

, the same time, the knurled periphery of roller roller 1| and prevents rotation of the cam 61.

arm 9| is provided with the pin 92 projecting laterally from the end thereof.

The outer end of shaft 65 is provided with a roll 93 which is secured to the shaft by set screw the spring 90. The lower 93 will indent or otherwise mark the strip l6.

The roller 89 on the end of arm 88 of bell crank 14 is held against the edge of flange 18 by spring 98. As cam 61 rotates, the arm 88 will be moved outwardly and the arm 8| of bell crank 14 will be raised. Pin 92 on the end of arm 9| engages the trigger raising it to its set position as shown in Figure 6, and thereby raising link 59 and armature 68. The solenoid 58 having been reenergized as above described, the armature 68, link 59 and trigger 85 will be retained in their raised position by the solenoid, against the pull of the spring 62. As above stated, when roller 93 has been carried through a complete revolution by the pull of strip l6, further rotation is prevented by trigger 85 acting against roller 1|. At the completion of this cycle the marking device is again ready to be released by the photo-electric inspection device.

At high strip speeds, the work absorbed by the trigger 85 in stopping cam 61 at the completion described hereinabove, the buffer 84 located beasraeac hind the pivoted arm 8! takes the shock to which the trigger 85 is subjected. v

Figure shows the marking roll 93 and backing up roll 91 in their normal position, in which the flattened portion 9li-is at the bottom of roll 93, thus permitting strip IE to pass unimpeded betweentherolls. Upon the release of solenoid 58 the action of spring 71 initiates the rotation of roll 93 until the knurled periphery 95 thereof the rolls S3 and Slgspring I'Iwill cause the cam alto rotate through approximately half a revolution and then come to rest. This situation will passes through the inspection device thus breaking the circuit'which energizes the solenoid. In this position the marker is imperative and can not reset itself automatically.- In order to reset the marking device, the shaft 95) which extends through one .wall of the cabinet is provided to which lever we is secured-at the outer end of the shaft. Within the cabinet the and I6! is secure'dto the shaft 99 and the-arm I832 is pivotally secured to arm 5M at I533. Arm IE2 is provided'with a forked end I a l. The arm I82 rests on the pin m5 and spring I96 is provided to maintain arm 5G2 inthis position. Reference to Figures 8 and 9 willmake the operation of the resetting mechanism clear.

In order to reset the marking device, lever lllfi is moved in a clockwise direction from its position shown in Figure 6. This movement causes the forked end IM of arm I02 to engage the pin l2 which, by reason of the partial revoluordinarily occur when the end of a coil of st'rip tion of cam 63 is in the position, shown in Figure 8. -.Furth er movement of the lever I00 causes the cam 57 to be rotated counterclockwise to its starting position. At the same time the end III'I of arm iiii engages a pin I08 extending from-the upper end of bell crank arm 88, thus moving arm at and pin 92 upwardly, thereby raising the trigger 85 to the point at which, it contacts roll HI, and likewise, through link 59, returning armature 60 to the position at which solenoid-- 58 will hold it as soon as it is again energized."

The resetting mechanism maintains the marking device in locked position as hereinafter described until a new roll of material has been threaded through the inspection device and the solenoid is again energized. At this timefthe arm lllfi is moved to its original position shqwn Figure 6, thus leaving the marking device in operative condition.

In order to hold the resetting mechanism in its inoperative or operative position, the disk I09,

which is recessed at H0 and III, is secured to shaft 99. Pivotally secured at 2 to the ,cabinet as is the arm I53 which terminates in roller lid, said roller engaging the recess I I II and being urged into contact therewith by spring I I5; This roller efiective'ly prevents the lever I00 from acturned to its original position' iiter solenoid 58 has been energized I As above stated, the marking device is ordinarily positioned adjacent to the photoelectric pinhole detector thus avoiding the necessity of introducing time delay mechanism in the electrical circuit.

The length of the markmade by the knurled roll. 93 is of course dependent upon the size of the roll. A smallmark is of course desirable.

4 However, weprefer to; make the roll 93 of ,sufiicientsize so that with such variations of the speed of the strip as may be encountered in practice, a defect therein will appear atsome place within the area defined by lines drawn vertically at each end of the mark, impressed by the .roll and extended froiii edge to edge of. the stripl 4 The electrical'circuits andgcontrols for the inspecting device I9 and the marking device 20 are locatedin housing I20 shown in Figure 1. Conduits I 2l and I22 contain the electrical wir= ing to the inspecting device I9 and the marking device 20.

The wiring diagram of the electrical circuits is shown in Figure 12 .The bank of photoelectric cells 53 is connected to the relay I23 through amplifier I26, batteries I25, I25 and I27 and resistor I28, as shown, following a standard arrangement for such apparatus. As shown in Figure 6 the solenoid 58 is energized by the battery I29, the circuit being completed through the relay arm I30. Accordingly the armature S6 of said solenoid is maintainedin its raised position againstithe pull of spring 62 acting through link 59 as hereinabove described.

If, now, any of the photoelectric cells is actu-' ated bylight, the relay I23 will close, thus breaking the circuit which energizes solenoid 58 and permitting the armature Bil to be drawn down by spring 62'. As soon as the light source is removed, the, relay I23 will again open and reestablish the solenoid circuit.

In operation, the material I6 is fed from rolls l3l through the opening 32 in the inspecting device l9, thence between the rollers 93 and 91 of the marking device 20, and thence to .the roller leveler I32 or other apparatus. The strip I6 together with the guides 33, 34, 35, 36, II and d2 effectively shut out light from the interior of housing 30 of inspecting device IS. The illuminating devices 5| will direct beams of light against the upper surface of the strip I6. So long as light is not-permitted to strike the photoelectric cells 53, the marking device will remain inoperative. If, however, the strip passing through the inspecting device I-9 contains a light,

pervious imperfection, light from the light source 5| will pass through such imperfection and onto one or-more of the light sensitive elements 53, thereby energizing relay I23, breaking the icircult to the solenoid 58, and permitting the armature 60 to be drawn downby the spring 62. As heretofore explained, the drawing down of armature do trips the trigger of the marking device 20 and causes the roll 93 of saiddevice to. rotate, thereby marking the strip l6. As soon as the light pervious defect; in the strip passes out of the inspecting device IS, the solenoid circuit is reenergized, 'and the rotation of the marking r011 93 causes the trigger 85 to be reset, thus preparing the marking device for actuation again upon the passage through the inspecting device of another light pervious defect in the sheet. t

We have shown the marking device 20 positioned immediately behind the inspecting device 99. It. will be understood, however, that by including a time delay mechanism or well known type in the circuit it is possible to remove the marking device to a position farther removed from the inspecting device.

It will be understood that the marking device is not to be limited to use in connection with photoelectric inspection apparatus of the type hereinabove described since it is capable of operation in connection with other apparatus for initiating. its movement.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and 'desire to secure by Letters Patent is: r

1. In combination with a device for inspecting a moving work piece by photo-electric means, a member positioned adjacent the work piece and adapted to be rotated thereby, saidmember being relieved to permit the movement of the mechanism for preventing the rotation of the 1 relieved roll, said trigger mechanism being mainto stop the rotation of said relievedroll after tained in operative position by a solenoid, means for tripping said trigger upon thedeenergization of said solenoid to permit the, rotation of said rolls and mean for resetting said trigger prevent rotation of said relieved roll, a solenoid 1 for maintaining 'saiddtrigger againstsaid abutwork piece out of contact therewith," motor I means for initiating the rotation of said member, stop means for rendering said motor means ineffective, and means controlled by said photoelectric means for rendering said stop means momentarily ineffective.

2. In a device for inspecting a moving work piece by photo-electricv means, means for desa ignating portions ofasaid work piece having characteristics capable of energizing said photo-electric means, said designating means comprising a member adapted tobe rotated by the work piece, motor means for moving said member into contact with the work piece, stop means for rendering said motor means ineffective, said stop means being maintained in-position by a rolls, the surface of one of said rolls adjacent the opposed roll' being relieved to permit; the passage of the material therebetween, means controlled by said, photo-electric means for initiating the rotation of the relieved roll to permit the material to be gripped between the rolls, whereby the movement of said material will rotate the rolls through a complete revolution, and means on one of said rolls for designating that portion of the material which hasbeen gripped by said rolls.

4. The combination including an inspecting device for moving strip material to be passed therethrough, a device for marking portions of said material having specified characteristics, said device comprising a pair of opposed rolls the sur- 'face of one of said rolls adjacent the opposed roll being relieved to permit the passage of the strip material therebetween and means controlled by said inspecting device for initiating the rotation of said relieved roll to permit the strip ma terial to be gripped between said rolls, whereby the movement of said strip material will cause said rolls to rotate through a complete revolution.

5. A device for intermittently designating portions of a continuously moving band of strip material comprising a pair of opposed rolls one of which is capable of designating said band and one of which is relieved upon its surface adjacent to the opposed roll to permit the passage of said band therebetween, tension means for initiating the rotation of the relieved roll, trigger ment, saidsolenoid being normally energized and adapted to be momentarily 'deenergized, means for tripping said trigger mechanism when the solenoid is momentarily deenergized', means for initiating the rotation of said relieved roll upon the tripping of said tr ger mechanism whereby said rolls will grip themovi'n'g strip and will berotated thereby, 'a' cam'onone of said shafts,

andmeans' actuated bysaidjcam forresetting said trigger mechanismafter it has been tripped.-

7. In a devicecomprising-a rotatablemember adapted to be operated by the work, m otor means to cause said member to move into engagement with the work and stop means to prevent theoperation of said motor-means, apparatus for initially etting'saiddevice comprising means for moving said rotatable member against the pull of said motor means, and means for moving said stop means, into engagement with saidrotatable member. a

9. A device for intermittently designating portions of a continuously moving band of strip mabe operated by the moving strip, means for initiating the rotation of said rotatable member, trigger means for preventing the rotation of said rotatable member, means for maintaining said trigger means in operative position, means for tripping said trigger means to permit. the rotation of said rotatable member and means for resetting said trigger means to stop the rotation of said rotatable member afterit has completed a single revolution.

10. A device for designating light pervious portions of a continuously moving strip of the material 'comprising in combination photoelectric means capable of being energized upon the passage therethrough' of a light pervious portion of said moving strip, and designating means, said designating means including a rotatable member capable of being rotated by the moving strip to designate the light pervious portion, and means operable upon the energizing of said photoelectric means to move said rotatable member into engagement with said moving strip.

11. A device for moving marking strip, mate- 2,312,626 I rial comprising a rotatable member normally out of contact with the moving strip material, means for bringing said rotatable member into contact with said moving strip material whereby to rotate said rotatable member, trigger mechanism for preventing the operation of said first mentioned means, releasable means for holding said trigger mechanism in operative position, and

trigger mechanism in operative position, and

means operable by the rotation of said rotatable member for resetting said trigger mechanism to a stop the rotation of said rotatable member after means operable by the rotation of said rotatable member for resetting said triger mechanism tointo contact with the moving strip material and n the member rotated thereby, trigger mechanism for preventing the operation of said first'mentioned means, releasable means for holding said it ha completed a single revolution,

13. A device ior marking moving strip mate' trial comprising arotatable'm'ember, having certain portions of its periphery closer to the axis of rotation of saict-member than the'other portions thereof-whereby to avoid contact with. said moving striptmateriahmeans to initiate .the rotation of said rotatable r'nember'whereby the unrelieved portion 'of its" periphery may be brought into contact with the moving'stiip material and the member rotated thereby, trigger mechanism for preventing the operation of said first mentioned means, releasable-means for holding aid trigger in operative'position, cam mechanism ro-' tatable with .said'ro'tatable '*-'me mber, and means operable by saidI-cam mechanism of resettingsaid trigger meehanism' 'to sto'pthe rotation of said rotatable memberafter'it has completed a single revolution. 7

NIEMAN. 

